Going SCSI

[MasterMind]

I'm adding a external Ultra2 drive and I'm thinking about getting a Adaptec 29160 controller card for future compatability. For one, its a 64 bit PCI card so when I get a m/b with 64 bit slots I wont need to upgrade. Even though I only need Ultra2 performance now, it would be nice to add a Ultra160 device without having to upgrade the card.

The problem is the controller card is replacing a Zip SCSI card and I still want to run it in SCSI mode (parallel is too slow). I can get a 25 pin to 50 pin cable and add a 50 pin to 68 pin adapter but I dont know it that would work. Also I dont know if it would bring down the Ultra2 performance if the Zip drive is just SCSI.

If the external connection wouldnt work then I'm thinking I could use a 25 pin to 50 pin adapter and connect the Zip drive to the internal 50 pin connecter since I'm running a open case anyway.

Also curious what connector internal SCSI CD/DVD/CDRW drives usually use?

 

[Gunbuster]

If the zip is on the same chan as the hdd it will run at the lowest speed of all the devices. Also you loose LVD mode.

 

[Zach]

Get an adapter to take your 50pin external, and then get a 50->25 pin adapter for your new external 50pin high density connecter. I have the same ability for my scanner, and I'd be able to use it if I didn't have a 5' internal cable trying to connect to a 3' external cable.. too long for me setup.

 

[MasterMind]

Well running a Ultra2 at SCSI speed would be dumb so that would be out but I discovered the dual-channel 39160. So I'm still wondering if passing through 2 adapters is a good idea or not.

I also thought of another possible problem for the internal setup. Are internal and external 50HD pin connectors compatable?

Many thanks to all the SCSI experts out there.


(I'm a slow typist)

 

[MasterMind]

So your saying a 25>50>68 would work?

 

[arthurb1]

If you get a 29160...the regular full one...not N or anything like that you can do it...I am... It separates the LVD segment from the SE segment...without paying for a dual channel card...and to prove my point, the card tells me what speed that everything initializes at and my 2 Atlas 10KII's are 160, my Ultra Plex wide is at 40, and my 12/4/32 is at 20...just make sure that you buy the plain 29160...the N and other designations are stripped versions that may/will not have the dual segment (not channel) support that you need. You can save cash over a dual channel card that way... Don;t pay the extra bucks for that 39160...I can give you a pic of the screen with my digial cam if you like.

 

[MasterMind]

LVD stands for low voltage differential and is what both the Ultra2 and Ultra160 run on right? So assuming a Zip drive is plain SCSI, the 29160 dual segment would be able to run both SCSI and Ultra2 on one channel?

A pic would be great if not too much trouble.

 

[b0red]

Check out Tekram's scsi card, the DC-390U3D one. It has both connectors, 50pins & 68pins.

Tekram DC-390U3D

 

[MasterMind]

Now that is what I was looking for! The 50>68 pin adapter I was looking at was $80 plus another $80 for the LVD terminator thats included with the Tekram. Plus the price is $50 cheaper then Adaptec's card. I think I'm sold.

 

[Floyd]

Yep, Tekram's SCSI cards will downright charm your pants off. By the time you factor in all of the cables, adapters, and terminator, it's considerably more economical than its Adaptec counterpart. I bought a DC-390U2W (dual-channel) a while back and it's been nothing but bliss. I have my LVD hard drives running on channel 1, and an old SCSI hard drive, CD burner, and scanner on channel 2.

Granted, I was not aware that Adaptec has cards that can accommodate both LVD and SE devices on a single (physical) channel. Nice indeed from a technological standpoint, but IMHO the cabling would get kinda unweildly and may require that you shell out extra $$ for the proper adapters for your SE devices.

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[Radboy]

Tekram DC390-U3W ($185, U160) or U2W ($130, U2W)

 

[dkozloski]

Tekram is crap. If you don't want to spend the rest of your life trying to figure out how to get the damn thing going you better stick with the industry standard Adaptec. After years of using Adaptec and dozons of successful systems I thought I'd try Tekram, What a disaster that has been. Making up the custom boot disc is no problem. Getting the operating system to boot is another. My DC-395UW adapter hangs at the first reboot and that is as far as you can get installing Win98SE. I've tried the latest BIOS and drivers, I've tried every PCI slot. I've gotten the whole system going with an Adaptec 2940UW and then switched back to the Tekram and it all dies. I've tried every kind of forced and manual installation of drivers. To add insult to injury Tekram tech support doesn't answer their E-Mail. My Dad always told me "If you always buy second best, never in your entire lifetime will you ever own anything worth a damn."

 

[Fandu]

In my experience, Tekram makes excellent products. I'm running a DC-390U2W and love it. That plus the Symbios chipset that tekram uses is supported natively in Linux, Win2K, WinME. Great card IMHO, much better value that Adaptec.

And dkozloski, No way in hell is Adaptec an industry standard! They make their products to the industry standards, as does everyone else in the biz.

 

[dkozloski]

Tekram uses their own chipset the S-1040 in the DC-395UW, not Symbios. I should have elaborated on the industry standard issue. Adaptec is the industry standard for quality and reliability.

 

[arthurb1]

Buy what you will, you get what you pay for...that dual segment has 4 connectors, a 50 pin internal a 68 pin internal SE, 68 pin internal LVD (U2W, and 160) and an external 68pin HD LVD connector...I have a 50 internal to 50HD external that runs my Jaz2GB and any other SCSI stuff...pic will follow when I can get my digital camera back from my sister :|

 

[MasterMind]

Does anyone else have an opinion on Tekram vs Adaptec? This will be my first foray into SCSI (I dont think Zip SCSI counts) and I want to make sure I dont have problems.

The price diff is actually $150 less for the dual channel Tekram compared to the dual channel Adaptec 39160. Plus the Tekram has the 50 pin connecter I need for the Zip drive.

The Tekram data sheet says it uses the Symbios chip if that matters.

 

[MasterMind]

Are 50 pin internal to 50 pin external adapters common? I dont like the idea of spending over $50 bucks for a adapter but if stability/performance is a issue then it would be worth the extra cash.

 

[dkozloski]

Tekram may be just fine but I can't get mine to work and their tech support is uninterested. Everything about Adaptec is more finished looking and professional; from the product to documentation and the printing quality of the manuals. Tekram uses either Symbios chips or their own depending on the product. You pays your money and you takes your chances.

 

[tom3]

As far as I know, Tekram scsi cards ending with a 5 in the model number uses the Tekram chipset, 315, 395, etc. Ones that use the Symbios chipset end with a 0 in the model number, 310, 390, etc. The ones based on the Tekram chipset would not be as natively supported as the ones using the Symbios chipset.

And of all the reviews and comments I've read, there's virtually no difference in terms of compatibility and reliability between the Adaptec cards and Tekram cards using the Symbios chipset.

 

[Radboy]

ask at the storagereview. those guys have lots of experience w/ both.

Try this link.

 

[MasterMind]

Well any one of the three cards will work for me so it just comes down to deciding which one. All three are above the performance I would need with a Ultra2 setup so I just need to consider what my future needs might be.

The multiplex feature of the Adeptec cards has me leaning that way but a dual channel for $250 seems like a steal.

I take a long time to make up my mind on any upgrades so any input is still welcome.

 

[arthurb1]

Dual channel is great, but it is meant to support about 30 or so devices.. (15 for each channel) Why spend extra on a dual channel, unless you are going the have more than 15 deives (doubt it)

 

[dkozloski]

FWIW I fixed my SCSI problem. I bought a used Adaptec AHA-2940U/UW adapter from Computer Geeks for about $100, installed it, and my system works perfectly. I now use the Tekram to clean the bottom of my shoes when I come in from the dog lot. It wound up the cost is about the same as if I had bought a new Adaptec in the first place. I am out a lot of time but now my floors stay cleaner.

 

[Sir Fredrick]

The Adaptec 29160 is more than adequate for your needs. Also, the retail version comes with EZ-SCSI which is pretty cool, but more importantly it comes with LVD and SE cables, including an active 68 pin terminator.
For connectors it has: 1 external 68 pin
2 internal 68 pin (one LVD, one SE)
1 50 pin
All connectors may be used simultaneously.
I believe the external connector is on the SE chain, but I'm not positive.

 

[Ben]

LOL!

How do you REALLY feel about Tekram dkozloski?